You're skeptical that some people need to use the mouse a lot? Or you're skeptical that bringing the mouse closer to the mouse hand's typing position / closer to the body improves comfort?
I found that when, e.g., using Photoshop, a keyboard without a number pad was a nontrivial improvement.
I found that when, e.g., using Photoshop, a keyboard without a number pad was a nontrivial improvement.